Roman Legionary vs Carthaginian Warrior: Second Punic War 217–206 BC

Osprey Combat #35

by David Campbell

The peace that followed the First Punic War was shallow and fractious, with the resumption of hostilities in 218 BC sparked by Carthaginian expansion in Iberia seeing Rome suffer some of the worst defeats in her entire history.

The Carthaginian army was a composite affair primarily made up of a number of levies from Africa and around the Mediterranean augmented by mercenaries and allies, and these troops crushed the Roman heavy infantry maniples in a series of battles across Southern Europe. Improvements made to their military, however, would see Roman revenge visited on Hannibal in full measure by Scipio, who would beat him at his own game and bring Roman legions to the gates of Carthage itself.

In this study, the epic battles at Lake Trasimene (217 BC), Cannae (216 BC), and Ilipa (206 BC) are explored in detail, supported by carefully chosen illustrations and specially commissioned full-color artwork and mapping.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Military History, Ancient History

80 pages, Paperback

Published August 21, 2018

About the author

David Campbell has worked as a new media producer and content specialist for many years, including roles at IBM, the BBC, various Internet consultancies and the British civil service. He is the author of a number of titles for Osprey.

Reviews

[Matt Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author takes a look at 3 battles of the Second Punic War and offers an analysis of the tactics used, the generals and the fighting soldiers on the frontline. This is an informative look at the battles.

[Indah Threez Lestari · Rating 3 out of 5]

676 - 2019

[Manolo González · Rating 4 out of 5]

it's not really a "versus" analisis, it's more like an analisis of the battles and leadership, regardless of the warriors, it's not bad at all, but I was expecting a closer look into the carthaginian soldiers and originis.

[Checkman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another solid Osprey entry. Trying to add to the Roman section of my library. Can't go wrong with an Osprey book - or twelve.